If you’re getting ready to move long-distance, you’ll be going on quite the adventure! Moving is a fun and exciting time, but if not planned for, it can be stressful and frustrating, too. With a little planning and a whole lot of preparation, it’s possible to turn even the longest move into an enjoyable process for the whole family.
Read on for five of the best tips to help you plan your long distance move.
Table of Contents
Make a Plan
As soon as you have your moving date, the best thing to do is make a comprehensive plan with everything you need to do before you get to the big day. There are a lot of things that go into moving long-distance, and it’s crucial that you have a plan to follow, so nothing gets missed.
Break down your plan into months, weeks, and days prior, and list items such as finding a reliable long distance moving company, purchasing packing supplies, packing non-essentials, hosting a garage sale, and cutting water and power to your house.
Sit down and line item every single thing to do with their due dates so you’ll be sure to get it all done in time.
Hire a Moving Company
According to long distance movers in Dallas, you should start this process early so you have enough time to make a well-thought-out decision. Choosing the right moving company takes several steps, so starting early is best.
Here’s what you’ll need to think through before you sign a contract:
– Get in-home estimates from three companies.
– Compare estimates, noting which companies offer the best services for the estimate.
– Compare company reviews, removing the company with the lowest rating.
– Choose the best company for estimates and reviews.
Once you’ve chosen a moving company, read the contract line by line to be sure everything that is written is clear and understood. Don’t sign a thing unless you are perfectly happy with the contract as they’ve drawn it up.
Pack Non-Essentials First
After you’ve figured out your master plan, and you’ve hired your moving company, it’s time to start packing up. When it comes to packing, the earlier is always better. You can never pack too early, and you will still likely be packing just days before the big move.
Start with non-essentials such as:
– Seasonal décor that doesn’t need to come out until you’re in your new home.
– Seasonal clothing items (i.e. winter clothing if you’re moving in the summer).
– Sentimental items, keepsakes, etc.
– Excess kitchen items you won’t be using
Downsize
If you want to lighten your load before you start your long journey, downsizing belongings is a perfect way to start. Begin by separating all items you don’t want to take with you. These can include:
– Furniture
– Clothing
– Books
– Gym Equipment
– Toys
Anything that hasn’t been used, worn in a long time, is outgrown, or has taken up space in your garage should be labeled to sell or donate. Once you’ve decided on the items you want to get rid of, decide how you want to sell them.
Popular methods are through social media and garage sales. Both have pros and cons, depending on the time you have for this task. Yard sales are typically one-and-done events, and you’re finished in a day.
Selling on social media allows you to post things for sale as you go, and people can come to you to pick them up at your convenience.
After:
You’ve sold as much as possible, donate the rest to charity. The last thing you want to do is drag unwanted items with you across the country.
Label Everything
As you get closer to the big day and you begin packing in earnest, create a labeling system, and label every box you pack.
The easiest labeling method to incorporate during your packing process is to color-code each room in your house. Use a bright color to label each box, and when you get to your final destination, you’ll be able to sort boxes according to their rooms quickly.
If your movers are unloading, be sure they have a copy of your color-coding system so appropriate boxes will find their way to the corresponding rooms. Make each color distinct, so there are no questions as to which color a box is labeled with.
Use bold colors, such as the colors of the rainbow – red, orange, green, blue, purple – but do not use shades of colors to avoid confusion.
A Smooth Transition
With a little planning, preparation, and know-how, moving long-distance can be enjoyable and fun instead of frustrating and stressful. By planning as far ahead as possible, you’ll be able to make important decisions without the stress of time constraints.
Downsizing will help you lighten your load so you’ll have less to pack up. Starting to pack as early as possible and using a labeling system will keep you organized the whole way through. Which of these expert moving tips do you find the most helpful?
